Prince Naseem Hamed biopic is based on Geoff Beattie's books

Earlier, we reported that Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan are set to star in Giant, which tells the story of erstwhile world featherweight boxing champion Prince Naseem Hamed, according to the BBC. Rowan Athale is the screenwriter and director of the film. It is inspired by Geoff Beattie's books, titled 'On the Ropes: Boxing as a Way of Life' and 'The Shadows of Boxing: Prince Naseem Hamed and Those He Left Behind'. Beattie's literature charts the boxer's rise to the top at Brendan Ingle's Wincobank-based gymnasium, where Beattie trained. Brosnan plays Ingle and El-Masry essays the role of Prince Naseem Hamed in Giant, the production of which is underway.

“We got along brilliantly and became close. He would tell me what was on his mind, and we would have some very personal chats," stated Beattie about Ingle and the time he spent with the latter.

Hamed became the most successful boxer from the UK in the featherweight category. Beattie's literature looks at Hamed's career and his complex relationship with Ingle, like one between a father and son.

Sylvester Stallone serves as an executive producer for the film.

The gymnasium also helped launch the careers of world champions Junior Witter, Kell Brook, and Johnny Nelson.

Discussing the film, writer Beattie said, "Boxers are interesting characters from a psychology point of view, how you turn a young guy from Wincobank into a world title holder. I took up training to get a feel for the whole thing, to get a taste for boxing."

Beattie signed off, "I think it's going to be an amazing film. I think the actors and director are really good - I'm looking forward to seeing it myself."